May and June are classic months for viewing a increasing variety of Birds, Insects and Plants. This is the start of the summer season for Butterflies, Dragonflies and Moths. Breeding birds on the reserve will increase. Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Blackcap will all be present. Look out for Cuckoo on fence post across the reserve. The first Avocet chicks will arrive early in these months with many more to follow. Lapwing, Ringed Plover and Redshank young will all be present. May and June are classic months for rarities so keep your eyes peeled!
- 16 May
Golden Oriole
At last a long predicted rarity in the shape of a superb singing male Golden Oriole (click for picture). This rare British breeding bird is generally found in eastern england in areas of poplar, so it wasn't too surprising that the bird was initially heard calling in poplars at the back of the viking round houses. Although a second record for the reserve (the first on the 16 June 1992), Golden Oriole are rare in Lancashire with only 23 previous records. - 15 May
Cuckoo
The first Cuckoo of the year at Martin Mere, heard calling early morning then seen from the Ron Barker hide mid afternoon. Waders included 50+ Avocet, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 pairs of Ringed Plover with at least 2 well grown young, a few pairs of Oystercatcher, 5+ pairs of Redshank, Dunlin and Snipe. - 14 May
Too Sunny?
Another lovely day, ideal for the numerous chicks hatching across the reserve. Loads of Mallard chicks showing very well in the collection area. More Avocet chicks hatched on Sunleys Marsh, plenty of Lapwing chicks and still at least two Ringed Plover chicks. Med Gull again. Yesterday 3 Turnstone dropped in. This coastal wader is barely annually recorded on the reserve, also Little Ringed Plover again. The first Dragonfly of the year with Blue-tailed Damselfly. - 12 May
Med Gull
Adult Med Gull from the Ron Barker hide also Yellow Wagtail from there. An Avocet count produced 64 birds including 2 young. Plenty of butterflies again today including Green-veined White and Holly Blue. - 11 May
Rare Birds
After pretty much 7 days of south easterlies bringing warm air off the continent its a suprise we've had no rare birds on the reserve yet! A former rarity, the Avocet, continues to go from strength to strength with a new record of 23 pairs sitting on nests. Little ringed Plover was present today. Active Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge and Reed Warbler are all present. An adult Peregrine put in an appearance late afternoon. A Cattle Egret was reported just on the edge of the reserve early afternoon but no sign since the initial report. - 10 May
Bird News
Upto 51 Avocet counted on the reserve today including 2 newly hatched chicks. A Barn Owl was seen today along with Kingfisher and a surprise visitor on the Mere in the form of a Barnacle Goose. Snipe have been displaying over the plover fields today and yesterday. - 9 May
Bird News
A Common Tern was present this morning briefly, otherwise Avocets continue to perform well, Whitethroat and Sedge Warblers are noticeable by their song flighting at the moment. An interesting time of year as anything could turn up, with a good influx of Black Terns locally this week we can expect some hopefully any day now. - 8 May
More Whimbrel
A good flock of 12 Whimbrel dropped onto the mere early afternoon. The number of 'tundra' Ringed Plover increased to at least 6. Other waders included 10+ Redshank, 50+ Avocet including young, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, 2+ Snipe, 30+ Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin. - 7 May
Another Glorious Day
Plenty of activity across the reserve. At least one Little Ringed Plover was present all day, Whimbrel again late afternoon other migrants included the tundra race of Ringed Plover which is noticeably smaller and darker. Again drumming Snipe were in evidence and Redshank were also displaying around the reserve. - 6 May
More Whimbrel
A couple of Whimbrel late afternoon on the mere giving their lovely bubbling call. The first Avocet chicks have hatched on Sunley's Marsh viewable from the Ron Barker Hide, also Wheatear still from here and 4 Ringed Plover chicks evading predators on a near by island. Such a sunny calm day was bound to be good for butterflies with Holly Blue on the wing, Speckled Wood, Small Tortiseshell, and Orange-tip.